15 and possibly addressing other risks, too. One example: Governor Newsom ordered the use of flood waters to fill aquifers, to battle the state’s ongoing drought. For climate adaptations, says Sanders, “you want to have something that’s good for water conservation and good for ecosystems and good for flood risk management and good for social equity.” The White House has also emphasized the need for better, more public climate risk mapping, especially as it prepares to distribute historic sums for local infrastructure projects. The Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation (CMRA) tool that was developed in 2022 uses maps and data from more than a dozen federal agencies to help communities better understand their risks and seek resources accordingly. Sanders hopes his team’s approach will eventually inform tools such as this, too, for instance, by helping FEMA improve its flood risk models. Already, the maps are leaving their mark on Los Angeles. Following the study’s publication in October 2022, the county Board of Supervisors passed a motion in December 2022 directing the city’s public works department to develop a plan to address flood risks and inequities, while improving the city’s water conservation and drought measures. It’s an “impact that you could only dream of,” says Sanders, “seeing your work immediately register with leaders who say we need to act on this problem.” The Climate Mapping for Resilience and Adaptation tool combines extensive federal hazard data that can be used at national, regional, and local levels to monitor flooding conditions and explore trends. Climate Action
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